Contracting Skills

Question 1

What is the purpose of a contract?

Answer 1

addresses client questions early and develops a structure that will free the client to use the worker’s assistance - structure creates freedom

Question 2

What is the first, second and third decisions made by the client?

Answer 2

1. will I engage? will I commit?
2. uncomfy feelings, do I continue to engage?
3. endings - door knob therapy (they bout to leave and they drop a bomb)

Question 3

What is meant by contracting?

Hint: what does it do?

Answer 3

Makes services clear
Identifies client’s felt needs
Identifies potential common ground between services and needs
Describes the workers role
Addresses issues related to the workers formal or informal authority

Question 4

What is clarifying the workers purpose? the workers role?

Define handles for work

Answer 4

Purpose - Non-jargonized statement describing the general purpose of the session and the services of the agency
Role - statement about the ways in which the worker can help (reflects general function of social worker, avoid enhance, enable, and facilitate)
Handles for work - examples of the kind of issues and problems the client may experience

Question 5

Name all of the contracting skills?

Hint: PRFAtTa CcCg

Answer 5

Workers purpose 
Workers role 
Reach for feedback 
Identify common ground 
Partializing client's concerns 
Supporting client in taboo areas 
Dealing with authority theme

Question 6

What does common ground look like in social work?

Answer 6

Middle point between needs expressed by clients and agency services

Question 7

How can you deal with issues of authority with a client?

Answer 7

Clarification of mutual expectations

Issues related to confidentiality - Mandatory reporter explanation

Question 8

What is the criteria for a client assessment tool?

Answer 8

Info provides specific understanding to directly help both the worker and the client
Client is ware of the reason for using the tool and has provided informed consent
Tool does not interfere with the contracting and engaging process
Tool is critical to the work

Question 9

What are some factors that may affect first interviews?

Answer 9

Developing a dynamic assessment and diagnoses
Developing the working relationship
Discomfort addressing problems
Use of professional jargon

Question 10

What are the three main ethical and legal considerations in the beginning phase?

Answer 10

Informed consent
- client granting permission
Confidentiality/privileged communications
- right of client not to have private information shared with third parties
Exceptions